Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A beetle biocontrol agent of rice-field weeds recognizes its host plants by surface wax long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Chemoecology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The importance of long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids present in leaf surface waxes of two Commelinaceae rice-field weeds, Commelina benghalensis L. and Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan, was evaluated as short-range attractant and oviposition stimulant in the Lema praeusta (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Surface waxes were extracted by dipping leaves in n-hexane for 1 min at 27 ± 1 °C. Thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography–flame ionization detection analyses of n-hexane extracts revealed 20 n-alkanes from C14 to C36 and 13 free fatty acids from C12:0 to C22:0. Pentacosane and palmitoleic acid were predominant among n-alkanes and free fatty acids, respectively. Females showed attraction to one leaf equivalent surface wax of both weeds against the control solvent (petroleum ether) in Y-tube olfactometer bioassays. However, the insect could not discriminate between one leaf equivalent surface waxes of two weeds, suggesting that both weeds were equally attractive to females. Among all identified alkanes and fatty acids, females showed attraction towards individual docosane, tricosane, pentacosane and heptacosane, and tridecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidic acid, resembling in amounts as present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of C. benghalensis and M. nudiflora, respectively. A synthetic blend of either docosane, tricosane, pentacosane, and heptacosane, resembling in amounts as present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of C. benghalensis, or tridecanoic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, and arachidic acid, resembling in amounts as present in one leaf equivalent surface wax of M. nudiflora, served as short-range attractant and oviposition stimulant in L. praeusta.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikary P, Mukherjee A, Barik A (2014) Role of surface wax alkanes from Lathyrus sativus L. seeds for attraction of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). J Stored Prod Res 59:113–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adhikary P, Mukherjee A, Barik A (2015) Attraction of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) to four varieties of Lathyrus sativus L. seed volatiles. Bull Entomol Res 105:187–201

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Adhikary P, Mukherjee A, Barik A (2016) Free fatty acids from Lathyrus sativus seed coats acting as short-range attractants to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). J Stored Prod Res 67:56–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed S, Opena JL, Chauhan BS (2015) Seed germination ecology of doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) and its implication for management in dry-seeded rice. Weed Sci 63:491–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barik A, Bhattacharya B, Laskar S, Banerjee TC (2004) The determination of n-alkanes in the cuticular wax of leaves of Ludwgia adscendens L. Phytochem Anal 15:109–111

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caton BP, Mortimer M, Hill JE, Johnson DE (2010) A practical field guide to weeds of rice in Asia. International Rice Research Institute, Philippines

    Google Scholar 

  • Das S, Koner A, Barik A (2018) Biology and life history of Lema praeusta (Fab.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biocontrol agent of two Commelinaceae weeds, Commelina benghalensis and Murdannia nudiflora. Bull Entomol Res. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007485318000731

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dodoš T, Rajčević N, Tešević V, Matevski V, Janaćković P, Marin PD (2015) Composition of leaf n-alkanes in three Satureja montana L. subspecies from the Balkan peninsula: ecological and taxonomic aspects. Chem Biodivers 12:157–169

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eigenbrode SD, Espelie KE (1995) Effects of plant epicuticular lipids on insect herbivores. Annu Rev Entomol 40:171–194

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant GG, Zhao B, Langevin D (2000) Oviposition response of spruce budworm (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to aliphatic carboxylic acids. Environ Entomol 29:164–170

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harborne JB (1994) Introduction to ecological biochemistry. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm LG, Plucknett DL, Pancho JV, Herberger JP (1977) The world’s worst weeds: distribution and biology. University Press of Hawaii, Honolulu

    Google Scholar 

  • Isaac W-A, Gao Z, Li M (2013) Managing Commelina species: prospects and limitations. In: Price AJ, Kelton JA (eds) Herbicides-current research and case studies in use. Intech, Croatia, pp 543–562

    Google Scholar 

  • Jetter R, Schaffer S, Riederer M (2000) Leaf cuticular waxes are arranged in chemically and mechanically distinct layers: evidence from Prunus laurocerasus L. Plant Cell Environ 23:619–628

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Karmakar A, Malik U, Barik A (2016) Effects of leaf epicuticular wax compounds from Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi on olfactory responses of a generalist insect herbivore. Allelopathy J 37:253–272

    Google Scholar 

  • Karmakar A, Mitra S, Barik A (2018) Systemically released volatiles from Solena amplexicaulis plant leaves with color cues influencing attraction of a generalist insect herbivore. Int J Pest Manag 64:210–220

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koukos D, Meletiou-Christou M-S, Rhizopoulou S (2015) Leaf surface wettability and fatty acid composition of Arbutus unedo and Arbutus andrachne grown under ambient conditions in a natural macchia. Acta Bot Gallica 162:225–232

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Li G, Ishikawa Y (2006) Leaf epicuticular wax chemicals of the Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica as oviposition stimulants for Ostrinia latipennis. J Chem Ecol 32:595–604

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malik U, Barik A (2015) Free fatty acids from the weed, Polygonum orientale leaves for attraction of the potential biocontrol agent, Galerucella placida (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Biocontrol Sci Technol 25:593–607

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malik U, Barik A (2016) Volatiles and surface wax long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids from Polygonum orientale L. (Polygonaceae) flowers. Bot Lett 163:453–460

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Malik U, Mitra S, Barik A (2017) Attraction of the biocontrol agent, Galerucella placida Baly (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to the leaf surface alkanes of the weed, Polygonum orientale L. Allelopathy J 40:103–116

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manosalva L, Pardo F, Perich F, Mutis A, Parra L, Ortega F, Isaacs R, Quiroz A (2011) Behavioral responses of clover root borer to long-chain fatty acids from young red clover (Trifolium pratense) roots. Environ Entomol 40:399–404

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mitra S, Sarkar N, Barik A (2017) Long-chain alkanes and fatty acids from Ludwigia octovalvis weed leaf surface waxes as short-range attractant and ovipositional stimulant to Altica cyanea (Weber) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Bull Entomol Res 107:391–400

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee A, Barik A (2016) Long-chain primary alcohols in Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng leaf surface waxes. Bot Lett 163:61–66

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee A, Sarkar N, Barik A (2013) Alkanes in flower surface waxes of Momordica cochinchinensis influence attraction to Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Neotrop Entomol 42:366–371

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee A, Sarkar N, Barik A (2014) Long-chain free fatty acids from Momordica cochinchinensis leaves as attractants to its insect pest, Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). J Asia Pac Entomol 17:229–234

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mukherjee A, Sarkar N, Barik A (2015) Momordica cochinchinensis (Cucurbitaceae) leaf volatiles: semiochemicals for host location by the insect pest, Aulacophora foveicollis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). Chemoecology 25:93–104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Müller C (2006) Plant–insect interactions on cuticular surfaces. In: Riederer M, Muller C (eds) Biology of the plant cuticle. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, pp 398–422

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Müller C, Hilker M (2001) Host finding and oviposition behavior in a chrysomelid specialist—the importance of host plant surface waxes. J Chem Ecol 27:985–994

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Padovan A, Keszei A, Köllner TG, Degenhardt J, Foley WJ (2010) The molecular basis of host plant selection in Melaleuca quinquenervia by a successful biological control agent. Phytochemistry 71:1237–1244

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parr MJ, Tran BMD, Simmonds MSJ, Kite GC, Credland PF (1998) Influence of some fatty acids on oviposition by the bruchid beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus. J Chem Ecol 24:1577–1593

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piasentier E, Bovolenta S, Malossini F (2000) The n-alkane concentrations in buds and leaves of browsed broadleaf trees. J Agric Sci 135:311–320

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piesik D, Wenda-Piesik A, Ligor M, Buszewski B, Delaney KJ (2012) Dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa viridula Deg., herbivory on the mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd: induced plant volatiles and beetle orientation responses. J Agric Sci 4:97–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Barik A (2014) Alkanes from bitter gourd as allelochemicals in olfactory responses of Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.). Allelopathy J 33:43–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Barik A (2015) Free fatty acids from Momordica charantia L. flower surface waxes influencing attraction of Epilachna dodecastigma (Wied.) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Int J Pest Manag 61:47–53

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Mukherjee A, Barik A (2013) Long-chain alkanes: allelochemicals for host location by the insect pest, Epilachna dodecastigma (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Appl Entomol Zool 48:171–179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Malik U, Barik A (2014) n-Alkanes in epicuticular waxes of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. leaves. Acta Bot Gallica 161:373–377

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Mukherjee A, Barik A (2015) Attraction of Epilachna dodecastigma (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) to Momordica charantia (Cucurbitaceae) leaf volatiles. Can Entomol 147:169–180

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar N, Mitra S, Barik A (2017) Momordica charantia L. (Cucurbitaceae) floral volatiles causing attraction of Epilachna dodecastigma (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Int J Pest Manag 63:138–145

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schoonhoven LM, van Loon JJA, Dicke M (2005) Insect-plant biology. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith L, Beck JJ (2013) Effect of mechanical damage on emission of volatile organic compounds from plant leaves and implications for evaluation of host plant specificity of prospective biological control agents of weeds. Biocontrol Sci Technol 23:880–907

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Udayagiri S, Mason CE (1997) Epicuticular wax chemicals in Zea mays influence oviposition in Ostrinia nubilalis. J Chem Ecol 23:1675–1687

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Maarseveen C, Jetter R (2009) Composition of the epicuticular and intracuticular wax layers on Kalanchoe daigremontiana (Hamet et Perr. de la Bathie) leaves. Phytochemistry 70:899–906

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler GS, Schaffner U (2013) Improved understanding of weed biological control safety and impact with chemical ecology: a review. Invasive Plant Sci Manag 6:16–29

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AK (1981) Commelinaceae—a review of the distribution, biology and control of the important weeds belonging to this family. Trop Pest Manag 27:405–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank anonymous reviewers for many helpful suggestions of earlier versions of the manuscript. We are thankful to Dr. Janakiraman Poorani, Principal Scientist, National Research Centre for Banana, Tamilnadu for identifying the insect, and Prof. Ambarish Mukherjee, Department of Botany, of this University for identification of these weeds. The financial assistance from the University of Burdwan as a JRF to Swati Das is gratefully acknowledged. We also thank DST PURSE Phase-II for providing necessary instrumental facilities.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology, The University of Burdwan, Burdwan, West Bengal, 713 104, India

    Swati Das, Anamika Koner & Anandamay Barik

Authors
  1. Swati Das
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anamika Koner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Anandamay Barik
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anandamay Barik.

Additional information

Communicated by Marko Rohlfs.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 633 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Das, S., Koner, A. & Barik, A. A beetle biocontrol agent of rice-field weeds recognizes its host plants by surface wax long-chain alkanes and free fatty acids. Chemoecology 29, 155–170 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-019-00285-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00049-019-00285-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation